Abstract [en]

Problem background: The online gaming industry has exploded and the number of consumers who play casino games has increased markedly in recent decades. In Sweden, the state has a monopoly on the gambling market and is not allowed to market casino games. But the foreign gambling companies make use of this by sending their advertisements via channels from other countries.

Research Questions:- What are the reactions of Swedish gambling consumers to gambling companies marketing?- What determines when Swedish gambling consumers choose to gamble online?- What are the consequences that may arise for the gambling consumers owing to the gambling companies marketing?

Purpose: The general purpose of this study is to contribute a distinct view over how Swedish gamblers react and experience the marketing of gambling companies. The sub-purpose is to find out what it is that makes the gambling-consumers to use these services as well as the consequences that may arise from the gaming company's marketing.

Method: In this study, we have applied a quantitative network approach by creating an online survey and an online experiment.

Empirics: The online survey and experiment gave us a total of 119 responses. 88 responses on the survey and 31 responses on the experiment. Online availability was enticing among the gambling consumers, being able to play at any time. According to the consumers they gamble for the excitement of it and to win money. There were also gambling consumers who stated that they are professional poker players and that poker is their only source of income.

Conclusion: Even though consumers believe the gambling commercials are misleading and frustrating they still feel the urge to gamble online. This is most likely because the companies show off with a glamorous fantasy world of winning money in their commercials. The gamblers are relatively easy influenced by the commercials which are the main reason why gamblers end up with gambling issues/addictions.